Ipod Usage

[SilverDesert]

I have a 04. 5 with the the CD and cassette tape player combo. I am thinking of buying an Ipod. What is the best way to use it in the truck? Do the FM transmitters work well? Any ideas appreciated. Thanks



Dave

 

[RobertP]

i just bought one about 2 months ago. the fm transmitter works great, actually a car travailing next to you can pick up the signal if they tune into the station.

 

[LesStallings]

The only problems I have with the transmitter is keeping a clear channel going across country. Along I-40, it is impossible to find a clear channel for more than 3-5 hours.



If you are just using it around town, you won't have any problems once you settle on a nice clear frequency.

 

[RSByrd]

I mounted mine, Ipod and FM modulator in the center console. Just plug in to the power port and you are good to go.

 

[BNakamura]

I don't care for my FM transmitter, it is the one that you plug to the power port and the stem is a bunch of plastic pieces that you can connect and adjust angles to get into the right place. The IPOD holder isn't a tight fit so when you take turns it doesn't have good contact and you can hear static and I mean loud static or you lose sound from right or left speakers plus the IPOD is heavy so it starts moving around and drooping. I was thinking about buying a kit from Crutchfield for the wired connection to the stock deck. And I think it would give better sound clarity, but haven't got around to that yet.

 

[ASchwartz]

I got a spreck carrying case for mine that is composed of thick rubber. I lay it on my leg while driving and it hangs on well. I have also found that the fm modulator that I have (monster type) does not work as well as the old cassette tape with the earphone connection. I keep the monster modulator around in case I have to charge it while driving. I have noticed a few weird things while using the ipod. I have turned the ipod off while using the volume controls on the stereo and today I turned the truck off while changing menus on the ipod. I think they is some jealousy going on.

 

[JRMora]

I have a 04. 5 with the the CD and cassette tape player combo. I am thinking of buying an Ipod. What is the best way to use it in the truck? Do the FM transmitters work well? Any ideas appreciated. Thanks



Dave

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piechry02aux.html



I have one of these in my truck for my portable DVD player. It works real well (no FM issues) and the sound is clear. Just check which radio you have first.



Juan

 

[Oly]

I have a Griffin xmtr the plugs into the headphone jack. Just put it into the cubby next to radio and go. Yes, there will be areas where there is interference but if you leave the included station library in your playlist, you'll find an open frq.

 

[jrlawler]

My truck came with the standard cd-radio factory unit which is what I wanted because I had planned to upgrade to an aftermarket unit. I bought a Pioneer head unit with extra RCA jacks on the back, ran a cable from there to the center consol and I plug the iPod in there. It works perfectly with no high fidelity loss from using the radio transmission method. I don't know if the factory unit comes with extra jacks but if you're a electronics guy you can wire in a set. Perhaps someone in your area knows how to do this. If you're OK with the loss in high fidelity then the radio transmission method is fine but if you have to have audiophile quality sound then you must have a direct connection. I replaced all factory speakers and added a sub-woofer and now have a sound system that is equal to or better than the Bose or Mark Levinson systems found in expensive luxury cars.

 

[ACoyle]

I bought a Griffin iTrip. Works OK for me. I put the iPod in the ashtray, as mine is clean. I can take it out and make selections and put it back in. Since it's a pocket(the Ashtray) it dosen't slide around.



AC

 

[Doubleclutch]

O-Tay- something new happened when we were looking the other way... I just bought a Jeep Wrangler and upgraded the stereo to an Alpine unit. An option available... is an Alpine-Ipod adapter that allows the Ipod to be controlled with your stock (or other mfg. ) head unit. Toss the Ipod in the glove box and it gets charged as you drive down the road. No FM, no external wires. Check out he Alpine site- My 2004 truck has a 6 disc changer in the rear, and it's an either/or, so Mr. Ipod is in the Jeep. AC's Griffin unit sounds like something VERY similar, and I like the ashtray idea better than the glove box, but I didn't see a charge as you drive feature. Probably not a really big deal. Now, all of a sudden, there are options.

Greg

 

[BRobertson]

I just installed an Alpine 9855 headunit and the Ipod adapter. It is great. We have every CD we own loaded into the Ipod and it stores in the console.

Bob

 

[monkeyman]

I have a Pioneer Head unit where my Ipod hooks up and is controlled directly by the head unit, no more Cd's for me! PAC Mobile Audio Interfacing Equipment actually has adapters for most vehicles to hook your Ipod up directly. The site is: www.pac-audio.com

 

[ilovetrains]

I have tried the cassette adapters, and found the sound qaulity horrible. I used the iRock, but the battery life was dismal, and with only 4 staion possibilities it was easy to get somewhere there was always overlap with commerical radie. I used the Griffin iTune and thought it worked well, but changin frequency was difficult as you drove down teh road. I have the Monster cable now, and it works OK. I use the Alpine system in my TJ and am extremly happy with it. I know Kenwood has one and Pioneer now, but both do not seem as nice as the Alpine system



There are a few choices to wire to factory HU, and I here these are expensive, but work well.

 

[dcscott]

I replaced the factory radio with an Alpine head unit. The aux input is used up by the Sirius tuner so I wasn't able to hardwire my iPod into the unit. I tried the Griffin iTrip but was never able to get it to work properly and the range seemed quite poor. I've since switched to the Monster unit which charges the iPod and contains the FM transmitter. Very easy to change frequencies, has 4 pre-sets, and good range and clarity.

 

[ilovetrains]

I replaced the factory radio with an Alpine head unit. The aux input is used up by the Sirius tuner so I wasn't able to hardwire my iPod into the unit. I tried the Griffin iTrip but was never able to get it to work properly and the range seemed quite poor. I've since switched to the Monster unit which charges the iPod and contains the FM transmitter. Very easy to change frequencies, has 4 pre-sets, and good range and clarity.

The newer (at least 04 and up) Alpine HU have the ability take multiple input's using AiNet. You should be able to run an iPod adapter and the Sirius unit.